Gov. Jerry Brown's May budget plan backtracks on his January proposal to have counties take the lead on expanding Medi-Cal programs under the federal Affordable Care Act, instead recommending that the state take the lead on the sweeping expansion of health-care coverage Jan. 1.

But the proposal is contingent on eventually recouping money from county-based safety net services such as the food stamp program, the CalWORKS welfare benefit, and child care linked to cash assistance. The state would see an additional $300 million in revenue in the coming fiscal year under the plan, an amount that would continue to grow over time.

Health care advocates praised the state for assuming primary responsibility for the rollout of Obamacare in the nation's most populous state, while lamenting that the governor's most recent budget plan continues to cut such things as physician compensation rates under Medi-Cal, and dental care for adults.

The plan furthers the governor's efforts to "realign" social services by shifting more responsibilities and costs from the state to county governments, while maintaining some broad authority to set such things as the level of cash grants and eligibility criteria.